What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Myristyl Alcohol squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Myristyl Alcohol, so we publish the range (3) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Myristyl Alcohol near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Myristyl Alcohol
It is a fatty alcohol — a waxy, moisturising ingredient, not the drying kind of alcohol. A C14 fatty alcohol repeatedly listed as comedogenic in the moderate range.
On a label it can read as Myristyl Alcohol, Tetradecanol — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Myristyl Alcohol in makeup and skincare
It thickens foundations, cream blushes, conditioners, and lotions. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
Lower-rated alternatives to Myristyl Alcohol
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
Myristyl Alcohol comedogenic FAQ
Is Myristyl Alcohol comedogenic?
Moderately. Myristyl Alcohol is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin. Sources disagree on Myristyl Alcohol, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Myristyl Alcohol?
Myristyl Alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Myristyl Alcohol, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 7 rated fatty alcohols, 1 rates higher and 4 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Myristyl Alcohol pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Myristyl Alcohol is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.